Family members of Khalaf Mohsen, 38, load his coffin onto a vehicle before burial in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, July 24, 2012. The man was killed when violence shook more than a dozen Iraqi c
Family members of Khalaf Mohsen, 38, load his coffin onto a vehicle before burial in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, July 24, 2012. The man was killed when violence shook more than a dozen Iraqi cities Monday, killing more than 100 people in coordinated bombings and shootings and wounding twice as many in the country's deadliest day in more than two years. Alaa al-Marjani, Associated Press
By Associated Press

BAGHDAD — Officials say the Iraqi army is battling militants in a northeastern area of the country that was once a stronghold for al-Qaida in Iraq.

Three officials on Thursday said the clashes in the town of Hadid, about 10 kilometers north of the Diyala provincial capital of Baqouba, have been ongoing since Wednesday night. The officials spoke on condition anonymity as they were not authorized to brief reporters.

Casualties could not be immediately confirmed.

View Comments

The assault comes days after al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility for a wave of violence that killed 115 people in the country's deadliest day in more than two years.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.